Baby P killer wins appeal and could be free in two years

Sentence cut: Jason Owen was originally given an indeterminate sentence for his part in the death of Baby Peter

One of the men convicted for his part in the killing of Baby P today won an appeal against his sentence and could be free in two years.

Three judges allowed Jason Owen's appeal against his indeterminate sentence on the basis that there was no evidence he would pose a risk to the public in future. The 37-year-old was a lodger in the house where Peter Connelly was subject to months of abuse by his mother and her boyfriend.

He was originally sentenced to an indeterminate term for "causing or allowing" the toddler's death.

But today's ruling means he no longer has to convince a parole board and could be free far sooner than he thought. Owen is the brother of Steven Barker, Tracey Connelly's boyfriend, who played the biggest part in the violence against the 17-month-old boy.

Lord Justice Hughes, quashing the indeterminate sentence, said of Owen: "His present offence is deeply unpleasant because a completely innocent child who he could have protected was not protected by him against harm by others.

"He displays a willingness to deceive ... which is unattractive, but to translate that into a significant risk that he will himself in the future commit offences involving death or serious personal injury to the public is ... simply a step too far."

Lord Justice Hughes said the important issue was "whether there was a demonstrated risk of future death or serious injury at his hands" — that is what had to be shown to justify the imposition of an indeterminate sentence, which was "akin to a life sentence".

It emerged yesterday that Peter's mother, who was jailed indefinitely with a minimum term of five years, had dropped an appeal bid against her sentence which was expected to be heard today along with Owen's case.

Peter was found dead in a blood-spattered cot in Haringey in August 2007.

He had more than 50 injuries, including fractured ribs and a broken back, despite being on the at-risk register and receiving 60 visits from social workers, doctors and police over eight months.

A sentence of 12 years was handed out to Barker, who was told he had played a major role in Peter's death. He was also jailed for life with a minimum term of 10 years after being convicted of raping a two-year-old girl.

His appeal against the rape conviction is due to be heard by the Court of Appeal on 24 November.

Barker and Owen were convicted by a jury of causing or allowing the death of a child at a trial last November, while the mother earlier pleaded guilty to the charge. The 289 days Owen spent in custody on remand will count towards his sentence.